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FOODIE NEWS FLASH, April 2018: New Restaurants & Cafe’s In Dubai

Posted on 05 April, 2018 | By Megha Polali

Post Category - EatEat - Post Category - Eating OutEating Out

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Scoping out the newest eateries…

Because Dubai’s dining scene is ever changing, we want to give you a head’s up on all the latest restaurants that have opened in our beloved city. From places to get that all-important cuppa to contemporary fine dining, date night restaurants and a trending tea house, here’s what’s new in the desert city…

A unique new restaurant that’s opened up just a stone’s throw away from Kite beach (and you know we hold a soft spot for anything by the beach, mamas!). Add to it a mix of cosy vibes, tastefully done interiors, an outdoor terrace that overlooks a park plus food that’s made using wholesome, seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers whenever possible and this cute little spot is sure to become your new favourite place in town.

And like us if you’re wondering what does Balkan stand for? Well, the Balkan Peninsula, easternmost of Europe’s three great southern peninsulas, is an area of great history, home of many nations and cultures, and an unexplored wealth of amazing food.

Menu items includes chicken liver pate, grilled cevapi with urnebes, onions, and peppers, zucchini moussaka, baked seabass, chocolate hazelnut baklava, cheese strudel and Elderflower ice cream to name a few. Yummy! With a bit of guidance from the friendly staff, you will be already planning a second (or third) visit when you’re done.

Hot off the press! Carine is the newest addition in town by Chef Izu Ani (The genius Chef behind The Lighthouse, La Serre, La Petite Maison and Izu Brasserie & Bakery). A much needed fresh entry to the fast-paced ever-evolving Dubai dining scene, Carine is conceptualized as a tribute to Chef Izu’s wife (how cute!) and the restaurant is filled with all of her personal faves, from freshly baked breads inspired by the bakery she used to work at in Northern France, to her own homemade plum and apple jam, Mediterranean specialities and to-die-for desserts (the passionfruit cheesecake is sublime).

Carine offers a mouth-watering selection of French Mediterranean inspired dishes and unique region-specific cocktails incorporating a special selections of herbs, shrubs and bitters for cocktail-paired dinners. Centrally located at the Emirates Golf Club with modern décor and an unpretentious French charm, the atmosphere is sunny and bright. We love!

Just opened in February at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Ninive is a new home-grown Middle Eastern restaurant with a twist – brought to the scene by the owners of La Cantine du Faubourg. Ninive is an al fresco only dining destination which offers diverse Middle Eastern cuisine, drinks and Shisha. Inspired by the hanging gardens of Babylon or Nineveh (the ancient Assyrian city of Upper Mesopotamia in modern-day northern Iraq) the first the you notice as you walk in are the relaxed Lush green surroundings with majlis style seating. The vibrant lanterns and a breathtaking view of the Dubai skyline make this place a little paradise of greenery, privacy and peace (planning your next date night, mamas?!).

Celebrating the diversity this region has to offer, the menu is influenced by the Middle East, Persia, South Asia, Levant and North African – the kind of place to bring visitors for an authentic yet different taste of the region’s cuisine (yalla, lets book a table!).

For any British mamas out there, you’ll know what we mean by ‘a pret sandwich’ (just those two words get our tummy a-rumbling). With a ‘pret-a-manger’ cafe on almost every high street in the UK, this chain is a firm favourite among many mamas looking for a delicious cup of (organic) coffee and a really good, healthy and flavour-packed fast-food option whether you’re after lunch on the run or you’re treating the kids to a quick bite while shopping. Well hooray for us, Pret-A-Manger is now here on the ground floor of Dubai Mall, serving up their signature wraps, soups, salads, sandwiches, baguettes and loads more too – all prepared in their kitchen daily with the bestest, most yummiest ingredients, yippeee! See you there (and fight you for the avocado wrap….).

Love London, and miss taking your evening stroll around Mayfair? This latest export from London’s Mayfair region – Scalini at the Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah, now allows us mama to relive those London days (kind of!).

Scalini Dubai brings a taste of its diverse heritage from London and Italy and is all about offering a sensory experience. The restaurant features clean, contemporary interiors; a dedicated lounge area complete with the finest mixology; a showcased kitchen featuring charismatic, interactive chefs and an outdoor terrace for those who prefer their meals al fresco. With a focus on the finest quality ingredients, the chefs are all set to WOW you with their dishes, think Octopus and potatoes, a big portion of slightly creamy, oh so delicious burrata, THAT gorgonzola pasta dish and perfect profiteroles to name a few… the dining experience gets BETTER, and BETTER, with each dish served.

Hey there, Habib Tea! Set in a two-story villa Tania’s Teahouse is warm and welcoming, serving a wide range of specialty flavoured teas, coffees and light, healthy meals. Located on Jumeirah Beach Road near the stately Burj Al Arab, this is THE perfec meeting spot for casual-catchup’s before collecting your littles from school, or if you’re looking for a quiet pretty place to breeze through emails – all over a cup of positivi-tea.

Minimalist marble touches, rose gold accents and plenty of pinks, with catchy phrases adorning the venue this classy place will have you coming back for more. They also have a very sassy menu, with names like “Socie-tea Snob”, “Detox Tea-tox”, and “Don’t Chai This at Home”. Lodi’s attention to detail is what makes Tania’s Teahouse so special. And lastly the fashion-inspired barista art, Instagram at the ready, mamas! We don’t need any more convincing – it’s time to par-tea!

Inspired by local heritage and the simplicity of sourcing the freshest fish and seafood, The Fish House at Dubai Festival City prides itself of delivering an authentic dining experience. That afternoon light, salt baked Seabass, turquoise interiors and an entire menu (almost) dedicated to all things seafood (there are some meat options for non-fish lovers – they are not SHELLFISH!), it all makes us seriously happy. Seriously, you gotta love a place that knows to make a mean fish dish (the best catch in town!).

Think a family day out and not just a place to grab a quick bite. If you love La Mer, Box Park and The Beach at JBR then there’s a whole new area to explore with your fam, mamas! The Yard at Al Khawaneej is an eclectic lifestyle destination promising shops, restaurants and that touch of quirky cool that makes its sister sites so gorgeous (think super cute wall art, beautiful grassy areas and really great design touches – the stuff of a photographers dreams!). As well as a ‘Last Exit D89’ with all the familiar food trucks plus loads of other eateries, a farmers market and regular events you’ll also find Dubai’s first ‘promise bridge’ here (an ode to the original ‘Ponts des Arts’ bridge in Paris where you can make a padlocked pledge to your loved one by attaching your own lock to the railings). Fun for the whole fam, go the whole yard and check it out, mamas!

Indian born Megha, is a food enthusiast with an appetite for almost anything. Her cooking and recipes are healthy, seasonal, deliciously cozy and served with a big pinch of giggles. She loves to cook, entertain and put a smile on peoples' faces with her home cooked food. Following this passion, she now operates as a part-time Private Chef (hosting your parties for you), hosts cooking workshops and is regularly seen at Dubai's food markets. All this, while she juggles at her day job as an Editorial Assistant at Sassy Mama.